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Kids don’t always have the skills to manage big emotions on their own, and sometimes they need support right in the moment. These strategies are simple, practical, and can help your child calm down, focus, and make thoughtful choices. 1. Name the Feeling Out Loud Help your child identify their emotions as they happen. For example: “I see you’re feeling angry because your toy broke. That’s frustrating.” Labeling feelings helps them understand what’s happening and begins the process of regulating. 2. Deep Breathing Together Guide your child through slow, intentional breaths. Inhale for 4 counts Hold for 2 counts Exhale for 6 counts Make it fun by pretending to blow up a balloon or sniff a flower. 3. “Stop and

  May is a special time as we celebrate graduations—not just in school, but in speech and language milestones too! Just like students walk across the stage to mark the end of a school year, many of our young clients “graduate” from therapy after reaching their communication goals. Every speech and language achievement is worth celebrating with pride and joy.  We love seeing children gain the skills they need to succeed in the classroom, with friends, and at home. Graduation from therapy is not the end of the journey, but it’s a stepping stone toward continued growth, confidence, and a lifetime of effective communication. It’s time to celebrate all that you and your child have accomplished!

Why Does National Speech, Language, & Hearing Month Matter? Speech and language skills don’t just affect how a child talks—these skills influence how children understand others, express their ideas, and succeed across environments. Hearing also plays a critical role in children’s development. Even mild hearing impairments can impact speech development and learning. Early Signs to Watch For: Parents are often the first to notice when their child isn’t hitting developmental milestones. Consider seeking guidance if your child: Isn’t babbling or using gestures by 12 months Has limited vocabulary compared to their same-aged peers Struggles to follow directions Is difficult for others to understand Talk, read, and sing with your child regularly Encourage turn-taking in conversations (pause regularly to allow your

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) helps children communicate more clearly and confidently. Their work includes much more than “fixing sounds”. They support speech, language, social skills, and feeding.  Speech Sounds SLPs help kids learn to say sounds correctly so others can understand them.  Language Skills They teach children how to understand and use words, make sentences, follow directions, and answer questions.  Social Communication SLPs help children learn the social rules of communication such as taking turns, staying on topic, and understanding feelings.  Literacy Support Because language and reading are connected, SLPs may help with early reading skills such as rhyming, sounds, and story comprehension.  AAC (Communication Devices) SLPs support children who use picture systems or speech-generating devices to communicate.  Fluency (Stuttering) They help kids

  As spring  break comes to an end, many children with attention difficulties may experience challenges as they return to school routines. The transition from flexible schedules, increased screen time, and special activities to more structured days can feel overwhelming. During this time, it is common for parents to notice changes in attention, behavior, or emotional regulation. To support a smoother adjustment, families can begin reintroducing routines gradually. Consistent wake-up times, predictable mealtimes, and visual schedules help children understand expectations and feel more secure. Simple supports such as gentle reminders, movement breaks, and clear, concise directions can make a meaningful difference as children work to refocus and regulate their attention. It is important to remember that this transition takes time.

As an SLP, I love helping families see how everyday outings can support communication. A trip to a baseball game — whether it’s a Chicago Cubs game, a Chicago White Sox game, or a local game — can be a fun, natural way to build speech and language skills. BEFORE the game Talk about what you might see: bat ball glove helmet scoreboard snack stand Ask simple questions like: “Who do you think will win?” “What do you think we’ll eat?” “What do players wear?” DURING the game Use the moment to build language naturally: Ask WH- questions “Who is batting?” “Where did the ball go?” “What happened?” Practice describing loud exciting fast crowded cold Encourage requesting “Can I have

As an SLP, I often remind families that speech and language growth does not only happen during structured “practice.” Some of the best opportunities happen during everyday routines, even spring cleaning. Sorting toys, putting away clothes, and organizing shelves all create natural chances to support communication. Here are a few easy ways to build language at home: Sort and describe Talk about what belongs together: “Let’s put the cars here.” “Find the big stuffed animals.” “These are all blue.” Follow directions Use simple instructions during clean-up: “Put the books on the shelf.” “Take the shoes under the bench.” “First pick up the blocks, then the cars.” Use action words Cleaning gives you lots of natural vocabulary: wipe wash fold stack

  Spring scavenger hunts are a fun, low-prep way to target speech and language goals while getting kids moving. With just a short walk outside, you can turn everyday objects into powerful learning opportunities. Skills you can target: Vocabulary: Describe items by color, size, function, or category Articulation: Search for objects with a target sound (e.g., sun, flower, grass) Following directions: Practice 1-step to multi-step directions Grammar: Use complete sentences (“I found…”, “It is…because…”) Social skills: Take turns, give clues, and ask questions  Spring scavenger hunts are an easy way to make practicing speech and language meaningful and engaging. 

Spring Into Developmental Motor Milestones April is a wonderful time to reflect on developmental motor milestones and how they connect to communication growth. As babies learn to sit, crawl, and walk, they gain new ways to explore their world. With that exploration comes more opportunities to hear language, share experiences, and interact with others. Movement helps children engage with people and objects, which naturally supports vocabulary development and early social skills. Motor development also plays a direct role in speech. Skills like breath support, posture, and coordination contribute to clear sound production, while gestures such as pointing and reaching often come before spoken words. When children build strong motor foundations, they are better equipped to develop strong communication skills.

Ms. Rachel from an SLP Perspective According to an article published in the May 2025 edition of The ASHA Leader by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, many professionals recognize positive benefits of the Ms. Rachel program. The show is widely viewed as a valuable tool for supporting early speech and language development due to its intentional modeling strategies and child-centered presentation style. However, from a Speech-Language Pathologist’s (SLP) perspective, it is important to emphasize that Ms. Rachel should never replace speech therapy when therapy is recommended. It should also never substitute meaningful parent-child interaction. While there are several elements that make the program educational and engaging, concerns arise when screen time begins to replace authentic play, daily routines, and face-to-face engagement — which